Category Archives: ■ Recommended Reading

Robert Murray M’Cheyne (occasionally spelled “McCheyne”; 21 May 1813 – 25 March 1843) was a minister in the Church of Scotland from 1835 to 1843, where he served until his early death at the age of 29. He was born at Edinburgh. M’Cheyne was a preacher, a pastor, a poet, and wrote many letters. He took a journey to Palestine, as part of a Mission of Inquiry into the state of the Jews undertaken on behalf of the Church of Scotland. M’Cheyne was also a man of deep piety and a man of prayer; he never married.

Encouraging comments from well known leaders and authors around the world who have used the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan:

“The late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones introduced me to the McCheyne calendar in the 1950s, and I have used it ever since. To me its great value is that it begins with the four ‘great beginnings’ in Scripture:

– Genesis (the birth of the universe)

– Ezra (the rebirth of the nation after Babylonian captivity)

– Matthew (the birth of Christ)

– Acts (the birth of the body of Christ)

Then we follow the unfolding of these four stories. Nothing has helped me more than this to grasp the grand themes of the Bible.” – John Stott, The Lausanne Movement

“The world is constantly clamouring for our minds, and this is why I warmly encourage you to make use of the McCheyne Bible Reading Plan. It anchors hearts in the Word of God.” – Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends

D A I L Y – B R E A D

BEING A CALENDAR FOR READING THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD IN A YEAR By the late Rev. R. M. M’CHEYNE, M. A. (1813-1843)

ADVANTAGES:

1. THE WHOLE BIBLE WILL BE READ THROUGH IN AN ORDERLY MANNER IN THE COURSE OF A YEAR. The Old Testament once, the New Testament and Psalms twice. I fear many of you never read the whole Bible, and yet it is all equally divine. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect.” If we pass over some parts of Scripture we will be incomplete Christians.

2. TIME WILL NOT BE WASTED IN CHOOSING WHAT PORTIONS TO READ. Often believers are at a loss to determine towards which part of the mountains of spices they should bend their steps. Here the question will be solved at once in a very simple manner.

3. THE PASTOR WILL KNOW IN WHICH PART OF THE PASTURE THE FLOCK ARE FEEDING. He will thus be enabled to speak more suitably to them on the Sabbath: and both pastor and elders will be able to drop a word of light and comfort in visiting from house to house, which will be more readily responded to.

4. THE SWEET BOND OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND UNITY WILL BE STRENGTHENED. We shall often be lead to think of those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, who agree to join with us in reading these portions. We shall oftener be led to agree on earth, touching something we shall ask of God. We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions, praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.

DIRECTIONS:

1. The first column contains the day of the month. The next two columns contain the chapters to be read in the family. The two last columns contain the portions to be read in secret [privately].

2. The head of the family should previously read each chapter for family worship, and mark two or three of the most prominent verses, upon which he may dwell, giving a few explanatory thoughts and asking a few simple questions.

3. Frequently the portion named in the calendar for family reading might be read more suitably in secret [private]: in which case the head of the family should intimate that it be read in private, and the chapter for secret [private] reading may be used in the family.

4. The portions read, both for family and private readings, would be greatly illuminated if they were preceded by a moment’s silent prayer – “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” (Ps. cxix. 18).

5. Let the conversation at the family meals frequently turn upon the chapter read. Thus every meal will be a sacrament, being sanctified by the Word and prayer.

6. Let our private reading precede the dawning of the day. Let God’s voice be the first we hear in the morning. Mark two or three of the richest verses, and pray over every line and word of them. Let the marks be neatly done, never so as to abuse a copy of the Bible.